I speak of the Portland Church. It stands as a living monument witnessing to the labors and faithfulness of Robert H. Boll, fruitful through his enlisting the co-operation of faithful men and women of the past and present generations. This monument stands not at his grave but at the center of his wide field of labor. It stands to give “honor to whom honor is due,” to the glory and praise of Him who bestowed this leader and teacher as an invaluable, and precious gift to the Portland Avenue church. This congregation is also blessed with consecrated leaders who have no idea of allowing this monument ever to be like the leaning tower of Pisa.
Now, R. H. Boll was not conscious of building a monument. The church (to illustrate) could have amore pretentious building had he been serving himself. He loved simplicity and plainness, as did others in the fellowship, so anything that might smack of the love of display got very little encouragement. He was overcautious perhaps, lest there be a catering to the flesh even in seemingly necessary moves brought up for consideration. His humility was real as all who knew him will testify, not assumed, as some who really knew him not have been known to charge. He was not faultless as those who loved him most will admit; yet neither was he incapable of praying for his opposors, as some coming upon him unawares when he was on his knees (as well as hearing him in prayer circles) well know. Portland Avenue is far from being a perfect church, but as to purpose of heart it is perhaps as nearly one hundred per cent can be found.
The Portland Avenue church is a body of parts. It is not just head and trunk; it has arms, hands, and feet. It is not composed of a wealthy membership, but made up of common people and many poor, who, however, are compelled to feel welcomed, and who are purposely cared for. The congregation has been at peace and has enjoyed the unity of the spirit this whole half century; likewise, the liberty ever to be enjoyed “where the Spirit of the Lord is.” This speaks.
Having feet unparalyzed, this church has gone beyond its geographical boundaries, even to lands beyond the seas. Long before some churches, recently awakened from inactivity regarding the scope of the Great Commission, began some efforts toward fulfillment thereof, Portland was already supporting the gospel in foreign lands. It is still doing so, and has increased, so that regions of Japan, South Africa, the Philippine Islands and Palestine have in divers’ places felt the impact of the gospel. Several thousands in dollars (of more than $35,000 in receipts for 1955) were invested in sowing the seeds of the kingdom in those lands the past year.
But “the heathen at home” have been given attention on a vaster scale at a great outlay, not only measured by dollars, but also at the sacrifice of good workers for the sake of erecting lighthouses in other fields adjacent and also in distant state. A “large membership”, that the church might boast of numbers, has not been the ambition. Such prestige has not been sought. So “Portland members” are to be found at “mission points” and in congregations that have come out of the mission stage. Portland has felt the loss of scores of good members thus but has suffered its losses from such cause without resentment.
Within its own “precents” there has ever been maintained (and occupied) a pulpit from which the word of the Lord has run and has been glorified, from which the whole counsel of God has been declared as far (we may suppose) as it is humanly possible, and from which every syllable of the New Testament has been heard. Through personal workers (both men and women), and through the press and radio, the word has gone beyond its four walls. Neither freedom of speech nor freedom of the press has been disregarded. The advantages of the class method of teaching have not been denied those electing to come for the same, whether on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, mid-week, day, or night. The church has so carried on for years past, teaching thus in observance of the charge issued in the Great Commission. This is done through those qualified, training for which the church has long afforded. The work the church has never delegated to any separate institution, but the church has not been so unwise as not to organize its work. It has exercised its right to conduct class work or group work for the sake of giving some necessary training to those willing in one capacity or another to serve. So, there have been “Singing Schools,” “Special Prayer Meetings,” Personal Workers Classes,” “Training for teachers,” and such like. Results have abundantly justified the outlay.
Painfully observing some year ago that sin and Satan were taking an alarming toll of the youth of the community, “not sparing the flock,” after praying and agonizing, a day school was started by the church, which step has never been regretted these thirty-two years, and this work continues with unabating interest and concern. The church through its elders conducts this activity just as it does the afore-mentioned activities, employing consecrated Christian teachers qualified for the grades from primary to Senior high school. For a number of years, a Christian Training School was carried on, chiefly in night sessions, for the benefit of adults desirous of fitting themselves for better service in the Lord’s cause. This work was merged into the Junior College into which eventually the educational program sponsored originally by this church, expanded itself. This development came in 1948.
But other congregations (not a few) had their youth problems and they wished to enjoy the blessings of the benefits and advantages as were known to be afforded, and they wished, of course, to share in the support of the same. They were invited to appoint qualified men of their own to co-operate in the conduct of the work, with the result that interested congregations now have their appointees acting concertedly as a board of directors of the Kentucky Bible college, now domiciled in adequate buildings at Winchester, Ky. This work, like other activities mentioned above, is not a separate institution supplanting the church by doing the work the church should do. It is the church, by these several activities, at work on its own job, the execution of the Great Commission, and in obedience to His command. By these methods the church, and individual servants of the Lord, teachers of His word, endeavor to “commit to faithful men”, the Word, “that they may be able to teach others also.” Through its own arms, hands, and feet the church has projected itself into ministries commanded of her Lord.
These things I have written, not that the Portland Avenue church might boast of its achievements, for Portland is far from being satisfied with herself, taken from any angle whatsoever. Neither is this being written to make a shrine of what I’m pleased to speak of as a monument to the beloved brother who has gone to be with the Lord. His works do follow, the monument stands, rather should we say, lives on, and by the grace of God will yet live on. But I believe this word picture of this one church may afford vision to others, and that herein is illustrated the possibilities of a congregation wishing to be more than just the trunk of a body; also, the practibility of congregations co=operating in carrying out the educational program commanded by our Lord, even as they co=operated in Paul’s day. This is not written to set forth Portland as a copy, but as a stimulus. And Brother Boll would have us follow him as he followed Christ. He would have nothing received as truth merely on his dictum. This writer would admonish on the other hand, nothing in God’s word be shied away from because R. H. Boll taught it. A tree is known by its fruit. A fisherman by the quality of his string of fish. A workman for his product. The critic—what has he produced? Friends of Jesus, carry on for HIM, so “that in all things HE may have the preeminence.” Amen.
-Stanford Chambers, Word and Work, Volume L,, No. 5, May 1956.